8 September 2002
Napoli 1 - Lazio 1

Lazio started off well in the San Paolo stadium tonight, but a goal against the run of play by Napoli's fantastically-named Floro Flores put a dampener on the squad. Simone Inzaghi responded well to being played from the beginning, although his usual temperament showed through when, after one disallowed goal, he was awarded a penalty in the 91st minute. The ball was handed to substitute Chiesa, but only after some discussion. Chiesa went ahead and scored, to applause from the whole crowd, who showed their support for the player on his long-awaited return from injury.

8 September 2002
News round-up

As the transfer market reopens for a week, fans and manager alike are holding their breath. No new departures (or arrivals) have yet been announced, but talk has centred on the possible exchange of Simone Inzaghi for Roberto Muzzi. Alessio Tacchinardi, who was mentioned earlier this summer in the context of a deal for Nesta, has again been named as a possible target, but the player denies any plans to leave Juventus.

After the on-again, off-again chaos surrounding Serie A, it now looks as though the first matches will go ahead on the September 15th (when Lazio are due to face Chievo at home). The first UEFA Cup match, also at home, against Greek side Xanthi, is due to played on the evening of September 19th, although ticketing details have yet to be announced by the club. The second leg will be played on October 3rd.

Lazio have broken off their relationship with former official outlet Lazio Point. They have informed fans via the official website that the shop on via Farini in Rome is no longer authorised as an offical retailer or ticket agent.

Excellent Lazio website Lazio Net has started a page for tributes to departed hero Alessandro Nesta. The forum is entitled Unforgettable Captain, and will be maintained all season, with messages, praise and poems forwarded to the defender. An image of his number 13 shirt will remain on the homepage all year.

And finally, Lazio face Napoli in a friendly at the San Paolo tonight, and have called up four members of their Primavera (second) squad, to replace international absentees.

1 September 2002
A draw for the new Lazio

Amid the eulogies, obituaries and rants, Lazio took to the pitch last night without Nesta and Crespo. The team put heart into their fans with a surprise 2-goal lead after only seven minutes (goals by Fiore and Lopez), but failed to hold on to the advantage. A goal by Moretti and an equaliser by former Lazio favourite Pavel Nedved put the seal on the game.

Meanwhile, Alessandro Nesta was due to be presented today as a Milan player, and is expected to attend - if not to participate in - tonight's Milan derby.

31 August 2002
It's official

At 3.30 this afternoon, Lazio issued the offical announcement that: 'Late this morning, the sale was confirmed of the player Alessandro Nesta to AC Milan, for 30.2 million euros'.

The only chink of light remaining for fans is the rumours circulating that the player himself is shut up in his house and has not yet signed any documents. A second statement by Sergio Cragnotti, referring to the transfer as a sacrifice necessary for Lazio's finances, and thanking Nesta, could possibly be interpreted as lending colour to this story.

On the Crespo front, the outlook was looking more promising. The striker told journalists outside a restaurant that he had just eaten a light meal as he expected to be playing against Juventus tonight. However, at 6pm today, Inter reportedly registered their acquisition of the Argentine with the Italian football authorities.

Other transfer news: Roberto Baronio has been released on loan to Perugia.

31 August 2002
ADDIO CAPITANO

The official transfer market closes at 1pm today. With two minutes to go the devastating news is that it looks as though Nesta is leaving Lazio for Milan, after the presumed intervention of Italian Premier (and Milan owner) Berlusconi. In a morning of rumours, denials and drama nothing can yet be ascertained for certain. But Crespo also appears set to go, to Inter. A morning of drama, emotion and slaps in the face for Lazio fans. More to follow. Rome, 12:58 pm.

24 August 2002
Transfer and Fixture

Lazio's transfer problems are being ironed out, and Christian Manfredini has now been officially presented at Formello in this season's new, brighter jersey. The ex-Chievo player expressed his happiness to be with the side, and dismissed the suggestion that he might face problems with the racist elements of the fans. 'I don't believe I will have any problems,' he told the press, adding 'Those who whistle at coloured players aren't Lazio fans.' The process to formalise Oddo's transfer is under way, but the final outstanding deal is unlikely to go ahead, after the flight of Eriberto/Luciano to Brazil (see story below).

Lazio have announced that this weekend, when Serie A was originally due to start, they will be playing Juventus in a friendly match. The game at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome will kick off at 8:45pm.

24 August 2002
Lazio 2 - Alaves 1

Lazio's squad for the new season were presented one by one to fans at the Stadio Olimpico last night, prior to a friendly match against Deportivo Alaves. New boys Chiesa and Oddo (who is still not actually an official Lazio player, as the Lega suspended transfers) were among the lineup, and Chiesa played a few minutes at the close of the match, to great enthusiasm. Manager Roberto Mancini got the largest ovation, along with club captain Nesta ('I'm happy to be here,' he told fans 'I'll stay as long as I can, and hope to win something this year') and Diego Simeone.

The match was free of major dramas and inevitably lacked a competitive edge, but the Lazio side played competently, showing confidence in possession of the ball. Ten substitutions gave most of the players a chance to play, and there was still a reassuring coherence about the side. Fiore slotted a neat opportunist goal home in the ninth minute, and Lopez made it 2-0 midway through the first half. A late easy goal gave Alaves the 2-1 result, but Lazio and their public seemed content with this warm-up to the season.

24 August 2002
Lazio transfer trouble

It was announced yesterday that all Lazio transfers, are to be suspended by FIFA, with the side facing a ban on acquisitions and sales until the financial situation at the club is sorted out. Complaints over lack of payment are said to be outstanding from several clubs, including Manchester United in the long-running row over Stam's purchase. Lazio have reacted angrily and denied that any such ultimatum has been received.

24 August 2002
'Eriberto' faces jail

The Brazilian player formerly known as Eriberto, one of Lazio's suspended summer signings, has confessed to masquerading under a false identity for years, and is unlikely to play in Serie A this season. For more on this story see Football in Italy's News page.

21 August 2002

Reports today state that experienced Fiorentina striker Enrico Chiesa has signed a two-year deal with Lazio. The player spent most of last season out through injury, although a move to Lazio was on the cards up until the time of the knee injury last autumn. His presence, if confirmed, will add to the uncertainty surrounding Crespo. The Argentine star has been mooted as a potential replacement at Inter for Ronaldo, although the Milan side deny the striker is to depart.

Meanwhile Lazio's three recent acquisitions, Oddo, Eriberto and Manfredini, are now all on hold due to bureacratic/financial difficulties. Oddo is in the Italian national squad due to face Slovenia tonight, and has declared he intends to return to Formello afterwards.

20 August 2002

Rows over funding have resulted in the start of the Serie A season being put back until the 15th September. Games that were originally to be held on the 1st September will be played at a later date (yet to be decided). Fixtures will continue as scheduled from the 15th September, when the second round of matches will take place as previously announced. For details see the Fixtures page on Football in Italy.

The postponement has come about as the smaller clubs in the Championship have refused to accept 'miserly' tv-rights deals. Eight Serie A sides and three Serie B sides have protested that they cannot afford to participate unless they are paid more money. Other clubs voted with them 'as a sign of solidarity' to delay the championship in order to allow further negotiations to take place.

The news comes as a blow to the image of Italian football, which has been suffering in past months. The UK's coverage on Channel 4 will not go ahead this season, after ten successful years.

12 August 2002

The latest episode in the never-ending Nesta transfer saga brings Lazio fans another step closer to a deep sigh of relief. After rejecting a 26 million euro offer from Milan for being 'too stingy', the Rome side announced 'Sergio Cragnotti has decided to take the player off the market. Nesta will therefore be Lazio captain again for the 2002-2003 season.

12 August 2002

I must say, considering this was a pre-season friendly, I thought this afternoon's match was highly competitive and full of the normal trials and tribulations one demands of an entertaining football match. It was my first time at White Hart Lane stadium and I was not disappointed. What a beautiful feat of engineering - and so close to the players! From my 'just above goal' perspective, I could see the whites of the players' eyes.

Spurs, who start their all important Premiership season next week, gave Lazio a rude awakening in the first half of the two-all match.

Lazio began their challenge by sleeping and conceding two goals, embarrassingly early on. Never fea, however, as the likes of a sharp Nesta, Crespo and Lopez ensured a sluggish Lazio side eventually equalized and indeed, enjoyed the far superior playing in the second half.

Spurs gave the Lazio lads a right whipping in the first half with their impressive defence (not being a Spurs supporter, even I had to admit their authority in this arena). I don't know what was said in the dressing rooms at half time, but the lads came back roaring in the second half and Spurs were left wondering what on earth happened to that rock solid defence.

Keeping possession of the ball might have helped the old Spurs along a bit, but the Italian giants weren't giving them an inch. Nesta proved his worth yet again, being instrumental in Lazio's climb back up the scoring ladder; making sure that the likes of Crespo and Lopez had every available chance to bang the ball into the back of the net. In a nutshell, Lazio were aggressive, constantly on the attack, retained and passed the ball effectively. Some good saves by the Spurs keeper denied them at least two more goals.

There was some drama when the normally professional Crespo pulled out the 'wounded bull' act and hobbled round the field for five minutes in mock agony (in reality, it was nothing more than a little push from the opposition), before a hissing Spurs crowd soon had him back in action (his speed and pitch coverage today had to be seen to be believed). He eventually turned to the crowd behind the goal and motioned for them to keep quiet. As you can imagine, this went down like a lead balloon. After a few more theatrics from Spurs players (the usual moaning and rolling around on the pitch) everybody decided to just play football. Despite the score, Lazio played it better than their hosts.
Many thanks to Football in Rome reader Melissa for this report.

10 August 2002

The Lazio squad for the new season will be presented to home fans on Friday 23 August, when the team play a friendly against Spanish side Deportivo Alaves. The game takes place at the Stadio Olimpico (kick off 8:30pm), with tickets ranging from 11 - 66 Euros, available from Monday 12 August.

10 August 2002

In their latest match in the UK, Lazio were defeated 3-2 by Blackburn Rovers. The Italian side had a poor beginning to the match, letting in three goals in the first half hour, including a Negro own goal. However, the team rallied and goals from Lopez and Liverani reduced the deficit.

Lazio captain Nesta, who still seems to be living on borrowed time with the club, came on at half time. With the expensive purchase of Cannavaro, Inter have ruled themselves out of the battle to sign the defender. But stories still circulate about last minute bids from Milan (always in competition with their city rivals), Juventus (who had also hoped to sign Cannavaro) and Real Madrid.

8 August 2002

Apologies to regular readers for the recent lack of news updates; this was due to server problems while on holiday. In the meantime, there has been little concrete news on the transfer market. Lazio are currently in the UK, enjoying rain-drenched training sessions and savouring victories over Liverpool and Derby County. If any readers have any first hand reports of the matches, or comments to post, please email Football in Rome.

8 August 2002

The fixture details for the upcoming season have now been announced. If you're coming to Italy for a game, bear in mind that while matches are usually on Sundays at 3pm, every week at least two big matches will be moved, either to Saturday or Sunday evenings.